Piecing The Past Quilts 4 Patch Square Dance Sewalong
 

Hey everyone!!

Today is the first day of this new sewalong. They posted the first set of blocks. I thought it would be fun to share our work as it seems quite a few of us signed up for it.

I noticed that each Monday you get a new set. If you don't download that week it will cost .99 to get them. Not a huge cost but free is cheaper lol.

Here is the link: https://www.piecingthepastquilts.com...e-dance-signup

Thanks, NZ quilter for sharing this! It's a really nice quilt and I'm using my stash for it.

I'm printing the directions. I am still working on, We the People, the last one. I like this one too. I look forward to seeing the blocks.

I'm already having problems. The first set of blocks is supposed to measure 6.5 unfinished. Mine are 6.5 before borders. Grrrr!!!
I double checked each piece size and I don't know what the problem is!

Pay no attention to my post above. I forgot to square the blocks after each step!

Thanks for leading us with this block of the week, Susie! Yes, I too kept forgetting to trim mine after each step. I'm not used to piecing large and then trimming down. Here are my first blocks. Everything is made from stash expect the sashing tan; I had to buy that since I don't have anything big enough that would work.

Sorry, picture wouldn't load. Here's another try.

Well, I'll try again tomorrow. It's not working tonight sorry.

I'm debating about paper piecing these blocks, except for the 4 patch, anyone else?

I am still in the searching the stash phase for all of those variations of the same colors. Do you follow the pattern and use 12 naturals, 5 reds and so on?

I won't be doing this one but can't wait to see what everyone does with it. I might catch the next one. I am still struggling with the after effects of COVID.

WMUTeach, in the past sew alongs, I came up with my own colors. But I did use their color advice and layout. So if the pattern made 8 of the same block, say, red/brown. I might use red/blue. In the end, the directions spread out those blocks were spread around the quilt. I loved the repeated color blocks.

Here are my blocks.

I did cut and bag the 12 neutrals, 5 reds, etc. but I don't think that would be necessary. I think it would look really fun and scrappy if one did four different neutrals and four different reds in these blocks, for example. It's a classic traditional pattern that one can't go wrong with.

I like your blocks, NZ!

Finally got the sizing correct.

So pretty, Susie! We are going to see some lovely quilts with this sew along.

Cut big and trim down technique is fine -

But trimming a 3.5 inch 4-patch unit to 3 inches?

Really?

I was thinking the same thing!

I know there is wasted fabric, but I like the option of more exacting final squares when you cut large and trim down. Perhaps this technique was used just in case new quilters are doing this quilt. I have used the pattern many times in the past under different names and will dive in with a modified version of the suggested colors.

I’m saving the pattern. I need to find fabric in my stash to start this project. So I will be a week or two behind. I have been staring at this project for a long time. I’m debating between fall colors all types of fabric like in scrappy or mainly use Kansas Troubles and fabric that plays well with Kansas troubles. I’m not sure I have enough of neutrals.
- Thank-you for hosting this thread.

I say do what pleases you. The reason I did mine pretty much like the pattern is because I have a lot of stash and other projects going on. It was easy for me to just follow the instructions on this one. I do like the colors which helps!

As to paper piecing- I don't do a lot of it so my advice wouldn't be helpful. I'm not very proficient with it.

I tend to avoid paper piecing for such a large number of repeated blocks.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png I will use starch and careful cutting and piecing. I hate picking off the paper. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/mad.png Tee-Hee-Hee

I understand cutting large and trimming in general but those 4 patch units seemed silly to me. For HST's and the like I find I like doing it that way if I'm not using the papers on a roll that I like using. But it all worked out in the end.
However, I think you're right that it would help a new quilter.

New blocks posted today.

Thanks, Susie! I'm excited to see two blocks for this week.

Saved the pattern and directions for later. I have five WIP and just need to bring it back a notch and finish a couple this week. Like a little child at a banquet table, my eyes are bigger than my plate. I will catch up soon.

I changed the colors to match the fabric I will be using for the border. I got all 3 blocks done.

Me too! I used pinks purples teals yellows blues and greens.

Queenbarbie- lovely blocks!!

Lovely color choices, Queenbarbie!

I sewed up my set of Block 2, but haven't gotten to Block 3 yet. I'm glad it's such an easy pattern!

I have decided to try this one. The overall pattern seems relatively easy.

Although I have already started to get "balky" when I was reading the instructions.

Bear, after the first set of blocks I just started finding stash fabrics that I like. I thought the instructions for gathering the fabrics was rather daunting. Besides that, I want to mix up the colors a bit more. It's a really easy pattern.
Oh- for the centers I just cut 1 3/4 instead of 2 and trimming down. It works well for me. No trimming necessary for those. I do trim the others though.

Doing that would require only "rethinking" that first step/cutting - - - -

Not sure what you mean but maybe I need more coffeehttps://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

I’m thinking of doing this one, but I’m confused. What is different about the new block that you get instructions for each week? They look like the same blocks but different colors . What am I missing?

I think, JayEll, that you are correct. In one of their quilt alongs, it was pretty much the same each time. Each time after the first one, I just printed the first page and followed the color suggestion. But just to be safe, in case I missed something I will read thru it first online. Sometimes they throw in other blocks, mixing it up a bit.

Yeah, I don't think there is much difference, at least not yet. That's why I'm mixing up my fabrics some.

More posts today. Same pattern, just different colors.

I'm guessing it will be that way for a while. Close to the end they will have a diagram of which blocks go where. That's the part I love because they have already figured out so that no two same blocks are next to each other.

I'm looking forward the appliqued border. I think I'm going to go ahead and make up all the blocks.

Next blocks were posted Monday. Sorry I forgot to mention it.
Not sure if I'm going to do the applique border but it's certainly lovely!

Blocks posted this morning. Still the same, just different colors.
I copy the first page only just to remember the colors. The directions are identical.

I'm still chugging away at my blocks. I'm glad I went with her colors, even though it all came from my stash. The colors are so rich together!